Epic Games has achieved a significant victory in its ongoing battle against Apple and Google’s app store policies. The Federal Court of Australia ruled on Tuesday that both tech giants engaged in anti-competitive behavior regarding their app distribution practices. According to the ruling, Apple and Google abused their dominant market positions to stifle competition. However, the court dismissed Epic’s argument that the companies had committed “unconscionable conduct.”
Epic Games has been challenging Apple and Google’s in-app purchase fee structures in multiple countries. Earlier this year, the company won a major case against Apple in the U.S., leading to Fortnite’s return to Apple’s U.S. App Store after a five-year absence. The recent Australian ruling could pave the way for a similar outcome, with Epic CEO Tim Sweeney announcing plans to bring both the Epic Games Store and Fortnite back to Apple’s App Store in Australia soon.
Google responded to the decision by stating that it welcomed the court’s rejection of Epic’s demands regarding app distribution within the Google Play Store. However, the company disagreed with the court’s assessment of its billing policies and past partnerships. Apple, meanwhile, defended its App Store as the safest platform for users and expressed disagreement with parts of the court’s ruling.